SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — With the third anniversary of historic Shaker Square’s acquisition by local nonprofits coming up next month, ownership continues to ring in “a new era for a Cleveland classic.”
Returning Monday (July 14) to give council an update on the landmark’s Vision Plan going forward, former City Economic Development Director Tania Menesse recalled residents asking her “what are you going to do about Shaker Square?”
Spending a lot of time in that era on the formation of the Van Aken District, she said “I had to explain to them that Shaker Square is actually in Cleveland.”
Menesse now serves as president and CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP), co-owner of the Shaker Square since August 2022 with fellow nonprofit Burten Bell Carr (BBC) Development Corp.
And she continues to get advice about the Square, much of which is part of the Shaker Heights School District across the border.
“People have told us ‘don’t try to reinvent the Square,’” Menesse said. “‘But please relaunch it.’”
With the acquisition completed through a $12 million loan package from
Cleveland City Council
to pay off Shaker Square’s mortgage as it faced foreclosure, CNP and BBC moved into the stabilization phase.
That put about $5 million into building, infrastructure and utility upgrades, allowing the nonprofits to continue toward the next phase: repositioning Shaker Square for a potential future sale.
It will probably come in the form of a five-year plan, with added focus on new, infill and market rate housing surrounding the square.
“In terms of making the economics work, we have an incredible mixed-income area where it is critical to restore housing,” Menesse said.
She noted that before ”
Phase II
” in the Van Aken District “what was missing were new housing options,” adding that density is important to private development.
The
Vision Plan
outlines three proposed midrise buildings — one on a vacant city lot behind the Dave’s Market and Atlas Cinemas quadrant, two on current parking lots behind CVS and the former Edwins restaurant.
But what could be another major housing opportunity involves the vacant storefronts facing Van Aken Boulevard — and owned separately — behind the vacant Edwins Too restaurant.
Responding to a question from Councilman Sean Malone, Menesse said that the ownership, Paran Management, has received all of the necessary demolition permits from the City of Cleveland.
At last check, crews were moving utilities out of the buildings, although the northernmost “Bonwit Teller” building at Van Aken and Shaker Boulevard is expected to remain standing.
Once the rest of the buildings are torn down “that site will make the most sense for new housing,” Menesse told Shaker council.
Back on the square, Menesse said requests for proposals (RFPs) went out about a month ago seeking prospective tenants in the vacant Edwins and Edwins Too spaces.
This comes after owner and chef Brandon Chrostowski consolidated them both in the
former Nighttown
in Cleveland Heights.
Menesse said they continue to look for commercial ventures that complement current tenants, with plans to move “creative, production-focused, and service-oriented tenants” up to the second floor.
Plans also call for installing elevators in as many as three of the four quadrants, starting with the northeast (CVS) section, where the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center will be moving upstairs from the current ground level.
Menesse thanked Shaker Heights for its financial support as well as the expertise of City Planning Director Joyce Braverman, who assisted on the
Vision Plan
.
Braverman has also been busy with the transformative Lee Road Action Plan, prompting Councilwoman Tenille Kaus to ask about any Greater Cleveland RTA rapid connections involving combined passes for Shaker Square, Lee Road and the Van Aken District as “transit-oriented developments.”
As an RTA board member, Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss said that passes are talked about a great deal.
But RTA is in the process of replacing all its rail cars, a $400 million venture with the first ones not arriving until late 2026 or early ’27.
Malone also asked if there were any “easy wins” already funded in the square, similar to relatively simple projects contained in the city’s
Recreation Strategic Plan
.
Menesse said the projects in the immediate wings are a
$250,000 forgivable loan
from Cleveland to help cover $700,000 in improvements at Dave’s Market after signing a five-year-plus lease extension last year.
Other work includes lighting improvements by Destination Cleveland, known for its work done in Public Square, along with better signage and landscaping.
“And while Shaker Square is not in a (Cuyahoga County) ‘
Opportunity Zone
,’ we’re hoping that changes in 2027,” Menesse added, noting that the county also kicked in $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for stabilization.
In other business news on the Square, Menesse said The Vegan Club has moved back into The Breakfast Club and Fashions by Fowler is consolidating into a smaller space.
“Even though Shaker Square is not technically in Shaker Heights, it’s still a part of our home,” Councilman Ifeolu A.C. Claytor said.
“And we all know that Shaker Heights does better when the City of Cleveland does better.”
Weiss told Menesse that many in the room were following the events that led up to the acquisition of Shaker Square, understanding the importance of maintaining local ownership.
“And we owe you a debt of gratitude for pulling this off,” Weiss said.
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